Does research degree supervisor training work? The impact of a professional development induction workshop on supervision practice

ABSTRACT

Supervisor induction and continued professional development programmes constitute good practice and are enshrined in institutional policies and national codes of practice. However, there is little evidence about whether they have an impact on either supervisors’ learning or day-to-day practice. Set in a discussion of previous literature, this article unpacks the concepts ‘impact’ and ‘evaluation’ and assesses the medium- and longer term impact of the University of South Australia's doctoral supervisor induction programme, Supervising@UniSA. It suggests that the workshop leads to the acquisition of understanding and knowledge and, for the majority of attendees, also has an impact on supervisory practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Academic development
• continuing professional development
• doctoral education
• evaluation
• higher degree supervision

Disclosure statement

The authors have contributed to the development of the program which is the subject of this article and also deliver significant parts of it.

Notes

1. Key actors in the design and facilitation of supervisor development activities at Leeds Metropolitan and Staffordshire University, UK, include Sue Clegg and Howard Green.

2. The first author developed and led this Postgraduate Certificate.